Posted by admin on Oct 24, 2016 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 3 Steps to Prepare Your Gutters for Winter

If you live in a region that gets a significant amount of snow and freezing weather during the winter, you are going to want to make sure that your gutters are ready for the winter weather before fall wraps up. #1: Clean Out Your Gutters The first thing you need to do is clean out your gutters. Gutters tend to get the most clogged up during the fall time, when leaves can easily fall into the gutters. You are going to want to wear gloves, attach a bucket to your ladder, and scoop all the leaves out of the gutters. This will help all the rain and snow flow more smoothly through your gutters. #2: Secure Your Gutters Second, make sure that your gutters are secured to your home. Your gutters should held firmly against your home and fastened in place. Ideally, your gutters should be secured with gutter spikes. Gutter spikes should go through your entire gutter and into your home. You can also use gutter hangers to fasten the gutter to your home instead of gutter spikes. There should not be any gaps between your gutters and your home; gaps can lead to drainage issues. Snow will more easily slide off your home and over your gutters when they are secure and in place. You should also make sure that your gutters are secured to one another if you don’t have seamless gutters. If the gutters are loose at a joint, you are going to want to reconnect the gutters together. #3: Test for Leaks Finally, you want to test out your gutter and make sure that there are not any leaks. You can do this by putting a hose in your gutter and running water at a low to medium rate through your gutters. As you run the hose through the gutter, have someone else assist you in looking for leaks. If you find any leaks, note where they are located, as you will need to replace them. You can fit a small leak with gutter sealant and larger leaks with a gutter patch. Additionally, watch how the water flows out of the gutters and through the downspouts. The water should flow away from your home. If the water does not flow down away from your house, you may need to add a gutter extension to your downspout so that the melting snow doesn’t damage the foundation of your home. If you need assistance with any of these steps, a local contractor such as Alaka’i Raingutters & Supplies can assist you with cleaning out and testing your gutters as well as fixing any issues that...

Posted by admin on Sep 20, 2016 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Reasons That You Should Not Ignore A Roof That Shows Signs Of Leaking

The roof of your home can develop a leak for a wide range of reasons, but most relate to the water being allowed to soak under the shingles, through the plywood sheathing, and into your home. While it might be tempting to ignore signs of this problem — perhaps you’re just naturally a procrastinator, or maybe your budget is tight and you’re nervous about the cost of having the problem repaired — doing so will only lead to further complications. This simply isn’t a problem that will go away on its own, and you’ll need to hire a roofing contractor to repair the damage. Here are some specific reasons that you shouldn’t ignore the signs that your roof is leaking. Increasing Cost When you act quickly upon noticing that your roof is leaking, it’s likely that your roofing contractor can fix the problematic area at little cost. Left unattended, though, the repair estimate for this job is apt to increase. When a leaky roof is ignored, large sections of the plywood sheathing will get saturated and ruined. The roof trusses, too, can take on water and begin to warp. The water that drains into your attic will ruin the insulation and, upon making its way through the insulation, will eventually damage the drywall on your ceilings and walls. You can avoid all this damage, and the associated expense, by acting quickly and hiring a roofing contractor. Reduced Air Quality Another concern about failing to address a leaking roof in a timely manner is that the water that soaks into your attic and beyond will eventually lead to the growth of mold. Even if only your attic is moldy, the mold will be able to travel through the air and into the living quarters of your home, harming the overall air quality. This can pose a risk to the health of every member of your family, but is especially detrimental to people who have breathing-related health issues, such as a child with asthma. Recognizable Signs Knowing the risks of ignoring a leaky roof, it’s important that you’re able to identify the symptoms of this issue. If you have roofing shingles in your yard after a windy day, it could mean the roof is susceptible to leaking. Of course, an obvious sign is wet insulation in the attic or wet sheathing overhead in the attic. It’s a good idea to call a local roofing contractor, such as those found at B & B Roofing, right away if you encounter any of these...

Posted by admin on Sep 9, 2016 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 2 Commonly Used Methods for Constructing a Flat Roof

Flat roofs are a common feature of many commercial buildings in areas that don’t receive regular snowfall in winter. Yet even in such regions, many people fail to understand the basic materials used to construct a flat room. If you own a business or commercial property with a flat roof and are curious to learn more about it, read on. This article will discuss two common methods of constructing a flat roof. Built-up Roofing Built-up roofing involves the application of multiple layers of roofing material—literally “building up” the roof, layer by layer. There are two principal materials involved in each layer. First, there is the so-called underlayment, which generally consists of roofing paper. The second element is hot asphalt tar. The idea is that while a single such layer would not be able to provide adequate protection against water, multiple layers overlap in such a way as to provide an efficient and highly durable barrier. To provide reliable protection, most built-up roofs consist of either three or four layers. Whereas three-layer roofs have a lifespan of between 10 and 14 years, a four-layer built-up roof can be expected to last between 14 and 22 years. Given the extensive installation process associated with a built-up roof, the added expense of a four-layer roof tends to be worth it, since it will defer both the timing as well as the inconvenience of its eventual replacement. Membrane Roofing Rubber membrane roofing was developed as a way to cut down on the lengthy installation process of a built-up roof. Here, rather than successive layers of asphalt and roofing paper, there is just a single sheet of waterproof material. This sheet can be made from a variety of different materials, including: PVC chlorinated polyethylene neoprene polymer-modified bitumen ethylene propylene diene monomer Perhaps the most frequently used membrane roofing material is ethylene propylene diene monomer, also known as EPDM. EPDM is a type of synthetic rubber. It comes in a gigantic rolled-up sheet that must be cut down the size of a particular roof. The particular advantage of EPDM, if you haven’t already guessed it, is that only one layer is necessary in order to fully waterproof a roof. This greatly reduces the cost of the roofing, both by lowering the amount of materials needed and by cutting down on the time and manpower required for installation. EPDM offers a number of distinct advantages aside from expense and installation time. EPDM roofs have an approximate lifespan of between 22 and 35 years. Additionally, EPDM roofs do not pollute the rainwater that passes over them. This is a problem with built-up roofs and other types of roofs that contain large quantities of asphalt. The chemically inert nature of an EPDM roof means that rainwater can be effectively gathered and reused for such purposes as irrigation, cleaning, and even personal hygiene. Talk to a contractor such as Specialty Commercial Contractors Llc for more information about different types of...

Posted by admin on Jul 24, 2016 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Protect Your Home With Routine Roof Maintenance

Though your home may seem to be in perfect condition, chances are the next winter storm could cause some serious damages to your home without any warnings. This is why routine roof maintenance is critical for homeowners. Taking precautionary measures can potentially save you from costly and major home damages that go beyond just roof issues. So, to make sure that your roof continues to protect your home, there are many roof maintenance services that you will want to hire a contractor for, like the following: Have Your Shingles Inspected: Because your roof shingles are the surface of your roof, they offer a great deal of protection to the structure and foundation of your roof. Chipped or missing shingles can expose the lower aspects of your roof and during heavy rain seasons, this could potentially be the source of your roof leaks. So, if you want to be certain that your home remains dry during rain conditions, be sure to protect the foundation of your roof by providing excellent production with quality shingles. A roofer will be able to replace and install new shingles, or at least repair them. This is why you should be sure to have him or her provide an inspection while working on your roof. Realign Your Rain Gutter: If your rain gutter is not properly positioned, then the slope of your gutter may not be steep enough to drain rain and snow off from your roof. This can cause rain back-up on your roof and allow rain or snow to sit on your roof for a long period of time can potentially cause moisture damages. So, when hiring your roofer, make sure that he or she corrects the slope of your gutter and that a thorough cleaning service is done to ensure efficient drainage for the next winter storm. Improve Durability To Your Roof: A great way to improve the durability of your roof is to have the support beams and foundation layer inspected. If cracks or slant issues are present, your roofer will be able to install new support beams or lay down sealant to repair any cracks. These roof repairs can be great and efficient fixes for your roof, so be sure to have them done on an annual basis. By hiring a contractor to service your roof with these factors in mind, you can do a much better job at protecting your home from very expensive, time-consuming, and stressful damages. So, even though your roof doesn’t look damaged, many of the major problems can’t be seen by staring at your roof from your front yard and need to be evaluated by a professional contractor. This inspection can be a major money saver, so make sure you hire a roofing contractor on an annual basis....

Posted by admin on Jul 24, 2016 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Own A Business In A Windy City? Here Are The Most Wind-Resistant Roofing Options

Technology has changed over the years. You should consider the options for your business’ roof based on a few facts and suggestions. Rolled roofing dates back to 1893 in the United States which consisted of long strips of felt covered with asphalt and a fine layer of stone (crushed). Individual shingles were added by the early 1900s, but in the 1950s, the 3-tab variety was introduced, making it a popular organic/natural choice for roofing material. However, the 3-tab choice could only withstand 60 mph winds. Things have changed as you will see from the following descriptions and explanations. Laminated Shingles: As a moderate type of roofing material, the laminated shingle has added thickness and weight because of its backing made of padding. However, it isn’t eco-friendly because it contains petroleum based products. The shingles overlap each other and are nailed to the roof during installation. If you see what appears to be a shingle, it is a tab. With technology, the roof is formed with various widths and random gaps. It can withstand 110 to 130 mph winds. Metal Roofing: Metal roofs are adhered with screws to make it more wind-resistant. Homes in Florida are a good example of how metal can withstand the hurricane pressures. A witness with a metal roof on their Florida home stated that out of 92 homes, only 2 homes were saved during a hurricane, and one was theirs. The roofing carries ratings of 140 mph wind-resistance. Concrete Tiles: Winds in excess of 125 mph can remain under warranty for 50 years. The tiles are sturdy but the adhesive used can cause problems if they aren’t properly installed. Asphalt Shingles: You can receive a wind warranty if the shingles are installed as indicated by the manufacturer’s requirements. Asphalt shingles are capable of resisting wind up to 130 mph. Protect the Structure: You can do several things to ensure your roof will remain intact. For example., you can brace the roof trusses. Check to be sure the plywood roof sheathing is installed correctly. Finally, if you are in danger of hurricane force winds, it is essential to install hurricane straps. Before you make a decision, you need to have the underlayment and shingles removed so the sheathing can be inspected. The screws should be stainless steel if you live in an area that is around 3,000 feet from salt water. With these suggestions, your business should be well-advised concerning which roof will be the best for your windy city. Go to websites that discuss roofing for more...

Posted by admin on Jul 11, 2016 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 3 Reasons To Consider A Copper Roof

One of the best roofing materials that you can consider for your home is copper, mostly because it offers a range of benefits that most other roofing materials would be hard-pressed to match. Listed below are three reasons to consider a copper roof. Light An issue that often comes up with many high-end roofing materials is that they are too heavy for many homes to support. This is often the case when trying to build a slate or ceramic tile roof. In that situation, homeowners will typically have to opt for a lesser roofing material or spend quite a bit of money reinforcing their roof structure in order to cope with the weight of the roofing materials. However, copper tiles can help you avoid that issue as they are among the lightest roofing materials available to you. Due to their light weight, copper tiles are ideal for use on just about any structure without any modifications or reinforcements being necessary to support them. Reflective One of the more useful benefits provided by a copper roof is that the copper tiles can actually make your entire home a few degrees cooler in the summer. This is because the copper itself is highly reflective which allows it to reflect sunlight away from your roof. Since the light is not being absorbed by your home, the entire home will be a bit cooler in the summer, which will lead to lower cooling costs in the summer as well as less strain on your air conditioner. Long-Lasting Finally, copper is a great option because it will last for a very long time, usually just under 100 years. This is a big advantage over some other roofing options that will typically only last a fraction of that time before needing to be replaced. One of the reasons for the long lifespan offered by copper is that it is not really affected by the things that commonly cause damage to other roofing materials. Copper is one of the most fireproof roofing materials available, so a neighborhood fire is unlikely to be able to damage or ignite it. In addition, copper is not an organic material so boring insects such as beetles and termites will not be attracted to it or attempt to bore into the material. Contact a roofing contractor today in order to discuss if copper roofing is a good choice for your home and budget. Copper can provide you with a light, reflective, and long-lasting roof for your home. For roofing services, contact a company such as Cloise & Mike Construction...

Posted by admin on Jul 1, 2016 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Metal Roof Rust: Why It Happens And How To Protect Against It

Metal roofs are popular not just because of their good looks, but also because they are supposed to be durable and low maintenance. So why do they sometimes develop unsightly rust or corrosion? The following guide can help you ensure your roof remains in good condition. Check your metals When other metals touch a steel roof, a slow electrical charge occurs that can lead to corrosion and rust. The simplest way to avoid this is to make sure that gutters and other rooftop items are either not made of metal or also made of steel. Your roof should also have a galvanic coating applied to it before it is installed. This cuts down on the chances of metal-on-metal corrosion, although it doesn’t eliminate the possibility since coatings can become damaged over time. Keep it clean in salty areas If you live near the ocean, there is another threat to your metal roof – salt. Salt in the air can eat away at paint and coatings on the roof, eventually leading to pitting and rust. This is similar to the types of salt damage you see on cars in ocean front areas. If you don’t get a lot of rain in your area, take the time to rinse off your roof with the hose every few weeks. This will cut down on the chances of pitting. Fix any trauma Even in areas far from the ocean, paint damage can occur. The most common cause will be trauma, such as from hail or falling branches. Water can work its way into a small scratch, making it worse and eventually revealing bare metal. Once bare metal is exposed, rust is a possibility. Inspect your roof visually for damage at least once a year or after any major storms. You can purchase touch-up paint that matches your roof in case you need to make any repairs. Consider a re-coating A durable silicone coating is clear and prevents all types of rust and corrosion. It can be applied over your roof as it is, or you can have the roof repainted first. Silicone forms a barrier against water and other metals and protects against minor trauma, such as from smaller hail stones. Talk to a roofer like Acoma Roofing to see if a silicone coating treatment sounds like a good option for your metal roof. They can also help you with inspections or any other maintenance needs you have with your metal...

Posted by admin on Jun 22, 2016 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Diagnosing And Repairing Your Home’s Leaky Roof

Having a leak in your roof is a frustrating experience, and if the water is flowing quickly into your house, it is an emergency as well. You’ll need to contact a professional to help you out, since if it is not repaired soon, it could end up costing you more in repairs. Though if the leak is a slow one, you may be able to fix the problem all on your own. These tips can help you do it. Finding The Leak’s Source Finding where the water is coming in isn’t guaranteed to be an easy process. Start off by inspecting inside your house in the attic. You want to look out for stains that are light brown in color along the bottom of the roof. If you notice them, then water is definitely getting in somewhere through your roof and creating damage. With an approximate idea of where the leak could be originating from, examine your home’s roofing tiles in that area. You want to note any tiles that seemed damage, which could mean that they are curling slightly, not securely nailed down, or even missing completely. Looking For Damage Inside Damage is likely to occur when the roof leak has gone unnoticed for quite some time. It’s a good idea to thoroughly investigate the house for damage to ensure you don’t miss anything. You already know where the discolored parts of your walls and ceiling are, so follow them down to the floor below. Your primary concern should be to look for wood that is rotting. That is because wood rot is more than cosmetic damage, and can put the structural stability of your home at risk since rotting wood has a chance of breaking apart easily. Rotting wood may also feel damp when you touch it. Completing Repairs After the issues have been found, it is time to start performing repairs. Start by replacing the shingles that have become damaged, since more water coming in can damage anything that you repaired. Pieces of wood that are rotting should be replaced for safety, but they also pose the risk of growing mold inside it. Then start working on cosmetic issues, like repainting walls and ceilings that have become discolored. If this seems like too much work for you, or the repairs are out of your skill level, know that you can always contact a professional to do the work for you. A local roofing contractor can handle all the hard parts that you may not feel comfortable doing on your own. Visit http://www.rainydayexteriors.com for more information....

Posted by admin on Jun 7, 2016 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Maintaining Your Clay Roof To Extend Its Life

If kept in good shape, your clay roof could last nearly 100 years. That will make it the last roof you’ll ever need to put on your house. Here are some of the ways that you can help get the most life from your clay roof. 1. Clean any dirt, debris and algae from the roof whenever you spot it. If dirt, sticks or leaves accumulate on the roof, water can be blocked from flowing off of it. The longer the clay tiles stay damp, the higher the risk is that they will develop algae growths. These plants thrive in damp conditions. They send tiny roots down into the tile, cracking the tile. Cracked tiles can break apart and let water leak under the roof. Sweep any debris off of your roof before algae has a chance to grow. If you spot a patch of algae, remove it as follows: Mix water and chlorine together in equal parts in a household pump sprayer. Soak the algae patch and the surrounding tiles with the solution and let it sit for several minutes. Scrub the algae off of the tiles with a soft bristled brush. Rinse the tiles off with fresh water from your garden hose. A note on using a power sprayer: Do not try using a pressure washer on the tile to remove the algae. You can crack the tiles and create another maintenance project. If you wish to use a pressure washer to remove debris from the roof, put it on its lowest setting and start at the top of the roof and work your way down. Do not point the sprayer up into the tiles or you may force them up off of the roof. 2. Repair any cracked tiles as soon as you spot them. A cracked tile can let water under the roof and into the house. If you live where the weather can get down to freezing, water in a crack will expand and can break the cracked tile completely apart. Repair any cracked tiles as soon as you can as follows: Remove any dirt and clay chips from the crack. A can of compressed air can help blow out any debris. Using a tube of clear silicone sealer, force the sealer into all areas of the crack until full. Wipe off any excess sealer from the surface of the tile. If done carefully, you won’t notice the repair from the ground. 3. Replace any broken tiles ASAP. A clay tile that has broken apart allows water to get under the adjacent tiles and cause a roof leak. Broken tiles cannot be repaired and must be replaced. If the tile is not easy to get to from a ladder, consider having a roofer, like one from Darnell Construction, replace the tile for you. The roofing contractor also knows how to do this without disrupting the tiles around the broken tile. Here is the procedure if you want to try this repair yourself. Break the tile up into pieces with a hammer. Be careful not to crack the tiles around the broken tile. Remove all of tile pieces from the roof. Remove the nails under the overlapping tile that secured the broken tile to the roof. Clean any clay fragments and dust from the area with...

Posted by admin on Jun 7, 2016 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Understanding The Key Differences Between Slate And Asphalt Roofing

When you find yourself in need of a new roof for the home you are planning to build, you will be faced with a wide variety of choices and options. There are numerous different materials that can be made into roofing, including some as wacky as old vinyl records and license plates. However, if a traditional-style roof is what you are looking for, then you may have narrowed your decision down to slate roofing or asphalt shingles. Get to know some of the differences between the two and how they compare so you can decide which roofing material is right for your brand new home. Comparing The Environmental Impact Of The Materials Slate is a natural stone (rock) that can be shaved down and shaped into roofing shingles. It is not a man-made material. On the other hand, asphalt is a petroleum based product that combines several different aggregates, binders, and fillers to create the product. As such, if you are environmentally-conscious, the creation of new asphalt shingles is far more energy-intensive than harvesting and cutting slate into roof shingles. Slate roofing requires less energy to create and therefore could be considered the much more energy efficient option. It is also important to note, however, that both types of roofs can be recycled and reused if you want to purchase materials that are recycled, which can offset any environmental impact. Understanding The Difference In Costs Slate roofing, because it is a heavier material and a natural stone, is often quite a bit more expensive in both the materials and labor costs for installation. This type of roof can cost anywhere from $9 to $40 per square foot (including labor and materials) depending on your type of roof and the exact style of slate that you choose. Asphalt shingle roofs are significantly less expensive than a slate roof. The costs of both labor and the materials for an asphalt shingle roof are around $1 to $4 per square foot on average. This is because asphalt shingles are much lighter weight and use man-made materials that are less expensive than standard natural stone. Knowing How Long Your Roof Can Last When it comes to your roof’s longevity, asphalt shingles simply cannot compete with the durability of slate roofing. Slate roofing can last over a century if well-maintained and taken care of. This is because the earth takes hundreds or thousands of years just to create these types of stones. They are made to last. Asphalt shingles, for their part, can last several decades if you make sure to perform regular and routine maintenance. However, because they are lighter and more susceptible to damage from the elements, they cannot compare to slate shingle roofs. Now that you know more about some of the key differences between slate roofing and asphalt shingle roofing, you can make the best choice for you and the home you will soon be building. For more information, visit sites like...

About Me

A few years ago, our roof started to have all kinds of problems. The shingles were perpetually blowing off, and I could tell that there were some underlying rot issues. We could see mold and moss from street level, and so I called in the professionals. Our professional roofing team took the time to get up on the roof, inspect the damage, and recommend repairs. They were incredibly easy to work with, and I was really impressed by their professionalism. This blog is all about things to look for when it comes to your roof and tips for finding an incredible roofer.